HEAD TO HAUNCH 



riding is done with the right side toward the center 

 of the ring. On road, street, bridle path, or track, 

 unless one keeps in the middle, the horse may go on 

 to the sidewalk and injure a passer-by. But by 

 riding at the middle of the road, one keeps himself 

 clear of other riders and of carriages which might 

 hurt him in case of a fall. 



I have myself tried various correctives for head 

 to haunches. None of them have satisfied me. It 

 seems to me that the trouble is the result of rheu- 

 matic pains in the side of the back, which appear 

 from time to time, suddenly. I have observed that 

 certain horses which have this failing will go 

 straight for days, sometimes for months, and then 

 once more, without the slightest provocation, bend 

 tete a queue. Possibly we are dealing here with the 

 same affection which the doctors call coup de fouet, 

 which is a sudden attack of lumbago or something 

 similar. Evidently, in such a case, a veterinary's 

 care is indicated. 



Where head to haunches is a willful defense, it is 

 best to call in the services of a professional rider, 

 letting him know to which side the turn is made. 

 Some masters advocate using a standing short rein, 

 fastened at the stirrup strap, on the side opposite to 

 the twist. I am against such a proceeding; be- 

 cause, although the fixed rein will undoubtedly pre- 

 vent the defense, it will at the same time hinder the 

 horse from turning its head to the opposite side for 

 the purpose of seeing and avoiding obstacles in the 



